Carbureter.



PATENTED I DEG.I 12, 1905.

J. B. SALO. GARBURETER.

APPLICATION FILED oc'r. 9, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

./N VEN TOI? Jaim milza W/ TNESSES.'

A TTORNE YS PATENTE!) DBG. 12, 1905.

J. B. SALO.

GARBURETER.

APPLIOATION FILED 0019. wos.

2 SHEETSBHEET 2.

A TTOHNE YS UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

JOHN B. SALO, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., lASSIGrNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ANDREW H. HOAG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CARBURETER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1905.

Application led October 9, 1903. Serial No. 176,355.

. nating purposes, although I would have it distinctly understood that the principle of my invention may be used in the construction of carbureters which are available for use generally in any art, machine, or apparatus wherein it is desirable or necessary to employ a combustible Vapor.

One object of the invention is the provision of a compact simple structure which is susceptible ot use in a way to produce a combustible vapor without superheating, vaporizing, or the application of pressure to a hydrocarbon, the vapor being produced in a natural way and by the simple absorption by an air-current of a hydrocarbon of any suitable kind, such as gasolene or naphtha.

Further objects of the invention are to provide means for easily recharging the apparatus with a hydrocarbon and without involving waste thereof, to provide for the admission of a relatively large volume of air to the saturated elements of the carbureter, to regulate the volume of air so admitted, and to minimize the liability of explosion and of theleakage oi' the combustible vapor. A

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the subjoined description, and the actual scope thereof will be delined bythe annexed claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation through a carbureter constructed in accordance with my invention and adapted for use in connection with a lamp, the plane of the section being indicated by the dotted line 1 1 of Fig. 2. Figs. 2 and 3 are sectionalplan views taken in the planes ot' the dotted lines 2 2 and 3 3, respectively, of Fig. 1.

In the embodiment of the invention represented by the drawings the carbureter isv adapted for use as a part of a portable lamp, wherein the base is indicated at 5. This base is provided with a threaded socket into which is screwed the threaded lower end or tenon 6 oi a vertical guide-stem 7, the latter extending centrally through a part of the carbureter, as shown by Fig. 1.

8 designates a suitable inclosing casing which may be of any preferred or ornamental construction, said casing being shown as having a concave bottom 9,which is provided with a sleeve 10, the latter being fitted slidably on -the smooth vrod or stem 7 I prefer to construct the casing with an internal tube 11, which has its lower end secured to the sleeve 8 of the casing, said tube 11 being thus attached to the casingfor adjustment therewith in a Vertical direction. This internal' tube serves as a guide for the casing in raising or lowering the latter, and said tube lits snugly or telescopicallyto the smooth guide-stem 7, thereby steadying the casing on the stem and the base when it is raised at a suitable point above said base. Any suitable form of means for clamping the sleeve to the stem may be employed, and in Fig. 1 I have shown the sleeve as provided with a clamping-screw 12, which is adapted to bind against the stem 7,

thereby holding the casing and its contained carbureter at any desired elevation.

The upper part of the casing is shown as having an annular mouth-Bange 13, to which is removably fitted the internal iiange 14 of a cover 15, the latter being removable at will from the mouth-liange of said casing. The casing is, furthermore, provided with one or more nipples 16, which are located at points preferably above the concave bottom 9, and

- through these nipples are passed the inner portions of supply pipes or tubes 17, which are adapted to convey the combustible vapor produced by the operation of the carbureter to any suitable kind of burner, one style of the burner being disclosed in another application iled by me of even date herewith, Serial No. 17 6,354. I prefer to extend the inner end of each tube 17 well into the chamber 18, which is provided within the lower part of the casing 8 below the carbureter to be presently described, and thisextended inner portion of the vapor tube or pipe is provided with a covering 19 of wire-ganze or any other suitable material adapted tor-prevent backflash of a flame and to minimize the liability of explosion due to ignition of the hydrocarbon or vapor contained within the carbureter.

One element of the carbureter is a shell 20, which is adapted to be slipped endwise within the casing 8 and to be withdrawn bodily therefrom. This internal shell 2O has an open upper end; but its lower end is provided witha bottom 21, said bottom being made of a metallic plate having a central opening 22 and provided with a plurality of air-ports 23. The shell 2O and its bottom 21 constitute a receptacle adapted to contain a plurality of absorbent members, and the ports 23 in the bottom 21 provide for the exit of the combustible vapor after it shall have traversed the air-passages provided by the absorbent members. When the receptacle formed by the parts 20 21 is withdrawn from the casing 8, the air-ports 23 are adapted to be closed by valves 24, said valves preventing the leakage of hydrocarbon from the receptacle. Each valve 24 is adapted to fit snugly or tightly in the port 23, and said Valve is attached to or carried by a stem 25, the same being shown as tting slidably in a guide 26 and a yoke 27. The guide 26 is fastened to the upper side of the bottom 21, so as to lie within the shell or receptacle 20, Whereas the yoke 27 is fastened to the under side of the bottom and projects into the chamber 18. The valve-stem 25 is pressed in a downward direction by the action of a spring 28; but when the carbureter is in service the valve-stem 25 is adapted to be held in a raised position by a shoulder 30 engaging with the upper side of the yoke 27, said valve-stem having a notch which provides the shoulder 30, as shown by Fig. 1.

The cover 15 of the casing 8 is provided with a contracted central portion 31, to which is rmly secured the upper extremity of a vertical central air-tube 32, said air-tube extending downwardly through the carbureter and provided at its lower extremity with a footiiange 33, which is adapted to fit below the bottom 21 of the shell or receptacle 20. Itis to be understood that the receptacle or shell rests on and is supported by the foot-flange 33 of the central air-tube, the latter passing through the central opening 22 in the bottom 21 of said receptacle, whereby the receptacle, the air-tube, and the cover 15 are connected for application to or removal from the casing 8 of the structure. The air-tube 32 is provided near its lower portion with a female-threaded enlargement 34, which is adapted to be screwed upon a male-threaded enlargement 35 of the guide-tube 11, thereby detachably connecting said air-tube of the carbureter to the guidetube 11 of the receptacle 8. The contracted upper portion 31 of the cover 15 is provided with a plurality of air-ports 36 for the free inlet of air to the cover, the casing 8, and the receptacle 20. The air-tube 32 is also provided with a female-threaded upper portion 37, into which is screwed a male-threaded sleeve 38, the latter having a plurality of radial ports 39. The upper part ofthe sleeve is equipped witha knob or handle 40 and with a closure 41, thus making provision for the convenient manipulation of the sleeve 38. It is evident that the sleeve may be unscrewed partly from the airtube 32, so as to expose the ports 39 and raise the closure 41 to expose the ports 36, thereby `providing for the admission of a large volume of air into the receptacle 20 and the air-tube 32; but the knob 40 and the sleeve 38 may be screwed in a downward direction, so as to cover up the ports 39 and make the closure 41 cover the ports 36 more or less, thus providing for a variation in the effective 'area of the ports 36 39 and regulating the volume of air which is admitted to the carbureter and to the air-tube. rlhe tube 32 is also provided withk a multiplicity of ports 42, which provide for the circulation of air from the tube into the air-passages between the members of the carbureter, as shown by Fig. 1.

The shell or receptacle 2O of the carbureter is provided with an internal ledge or shoulder 43, which is disposed above the guides 26 for the valves, and on this ledge or shoulder is adapted to rest the lowermost absorbent member of a plurality of absorbent members 44. These absorbent members are made of any suitable porous material which is adapted to hold and retain by absorption a quantity of hydrocarbon, and as one material suitable for the manufacture of these members 44 I employ a special form of plaster-of-paris which is prepared to secure a high degree of porosity. 1t is to be understood, however, that my invention is not restricted to the particular materials which may be employed in the manufacture of these members 44, and l therefore reserve the right to use any material suitable for the purpose. Each member is made in the form of a disk and of adiameter to tit snugly within the shell or receptacle 20. Furthermore, each member is provided with an enlarged peripheral edge, which produces an annular bead or liange 45 on the upper and lower faces of said members. Within this bead or flange the web ofthe member is formed with a plurality of recesses 46 and with two circular rows of openings 47 48. The particular number of openings and the arrangement of the openings or recesses may be modified within wide limits; but the members should be constructed to provide for a plurality of air-passages between them when they are superposed one upon the other, as shown by Fig. 1. It is to be understood that the lowermost member 44 is placed within the shell or receptacle 20 to rest upon the shoulder 43, after which a suitable number of the members are placed within said shell or receptacle, so as to practically till the same throughout its depth. rlhe annular flanges of the members rest one upon the other, and they serve to space the members IOS so as to produce air-circulation passages 49 between said members, said passages having communication one with the other through the openings 48 and 47. The members should be assembled so that the openings 48 will provide for the passage of air or vapor throughl the members at points adjacent to the airtube 32, while the other openings 47 establish communication 4between adjacent air-passages 49 near theshell or receptacle 20, whereby the air is adapted to circulate in a tortuous course through the members and the passages formed thereby, so that the air. will pursue a zigzag course back and forth over the surfaces of the saturated absorbent members. The cover 15 is also provided with a fillingnozzle 50, which is adapted to be closed by a cap 51, and below this nozzle is arranged a guard 52 of gauze or other material adapted to prevent the passage of a flame into the carbureter and igniting the hydrocarbon therein.

The joint between the upper part of the shell or receptacle 20 and the mouth-Hange 13 of the casing 8 is made tight by the employment of an expansible metallic packing 53, the same being made, preferably, ofa piece of sheet metal which is spun to the irregular shape shown by Fig. 1, therebyproducing members 54 55, which lie at an angle one to the other. gagement frictionally with the inner surface of the mouth-iiange 13, whereas the packing is attached to or adapted for engagement with a beaded upper edge 56 of the receptacle 20,

whereby the packing is removable with the receptacle when the carbu reter is withdrawn from the casing 8, and said packing is adapted for engagement tightly with said casing when the carbureter is inserted therein.

In preparing my apparatus for service the receptacle 20, with its valves, the tube 32, the expansible packing, and the. air-circulating devices are adapted to be withdrawn from the casing 8. The valves are closed by adjusting the shoulders 30 from engagement with the yokes 27, and the cap 51 may now be removed from the nozzle 50, after which hydrocarbon of any suitable nature can be poured into the nozzle 50 and pass through the metallic gauze 52, so'as to flow into the receptacle 20. This hydrocarbon is absorbed by the porous members 44 until the latter become thoroughly saturated, after which the carbureter is ready for insertion into the casing 8. rIhe tube 32 is slipped down over the tube l1, and when said tube with the receptacle 2O are lowered nearly the full distance into said casing 8 the carbureter is rotated in order to screw the threaded portion 34 of the tube 32 upon the threaded portion 35 of the tube 11. -Before inserting the carbureter the valves 24 should be opened, and when the carbureter is fully -inserted into the casing the packing 53 engages Vwith said Harige of the casing, whereas the coverv 15 fits externally on said casing.

'lhe member 54 is adaptedfor en# The knob 40 may now be adjusted to expose the ports 36 39, and air isl free to pass into the casing and the tube 32. The air circulates in a tortuous course through the open-y of air through the air-passages ofthe absorbent members. The combustible vapor is free to pass through the ports 23 and the gauzeguards 19 into the pipes 17 for conveyance to the burners of thelamp.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent-v 1. In a carbureter, an absorbent member having a thickened edge portion, and a plurality of air-circulation openings.

2. Ina carbureter, a plurality of members each consisting of a anged and perforated absorbent cake of solid porous material, the perforations in contiguous cakes being out of alinement said members being superposed one upon the other and spaced lby the flanges thereof to produce air-circulation channels betweentheir opposing surfaces.

3. In a carbureter, a plurality of absorbent members having thickened peripheral edges superposed one upon the other for the thicklOO ened edges thereof to have abutting engage- 5. In a carbureter, a plurality of absorbent l members each consisting lof a porous cake of solid material and provided with air-circulation openings, said members being also p rovided with marginal flanges and superposedA one upon the other, said flanges of the members having abutting engagement and separating the members to produce air-circulating channels between the opposing faces of the members.

6. The combination with a casing',of arecepl tacle removably fitted therein and provided with valved openings at its lower portion, a plurality of absorbent members contained l within said shell or receptacle, a stem disposed within said casing, and means for coupling the receptacle or shell by a rotary motion to said stem.

7. The combination with a casing having a stem, of a receptacle provided with a central' air-tube adapted to be coupled by a rotary motion to the stem, and absorbent members contained Within said receptacle and insertible therewith into the casing.

8. The combination with a casing, of a receptacle insertible into and removable from said casing, a central air-tube attached to said receptacle, a plurality of absorbent members confined within the receptacle and surrounding said air-tube, and means for regulating the admission of air to said tube and to the casing.

9. The combination with acasing,of a receptacle removable therefrom and provided with a perforated air-tube, a plurality of absorbent members assembled Within said receptacle to form circulation-passages which have communication with the air-tube through the perforations therein, and means for controlling` the admission of air to said tube and the absorbent members of the receptacle.

10. The combination of a casing provided with air-ports in its upper portion, a. series ofl absorbent members within said casing, a perforated air-tube disposed within the casing and having communication through its perforations with air-passages which are formed by said members, and a capped sleeve screwed to the air-tube and making provision for regulating the air admitted to the tube and to the casing.

11. The combination with a Xed stem, of a casing provided with an internal sleeve which is fitted slidably to said stem, means for clamping the casing and its sleeve at a desired elevation on the stem, a carbureter-receptacle provided with a tube or sleeve and arranged within said casing for the sleeve of the recept-acle to lit the internal sleeve of the casing, and an absorbent within the carbureter-casing.

12. Inacarbureter, a plurality of absorbent members each consisting of a cake of porous material, said members being provided with thickened edges which have abutting engagement and are eective in spacing the members to produce air-circulating channels between them, the adjacent members being also provided with disalined air-circulating openings.

13. In a gravity-carbureter,areceptacle provided with a downdraft perforated air-inlet tube located internally therein, and a plurality of absorbent members inclosed within said receptacle and spaced therein to produce channels which are in communication with the tube through the perforations therein, saidmembers having means whereby air is free to circulate in a zigzag course through the receptacle.

14. In a carbureter, a receptacle provided with an air-inlet at its top and a vapor-outlet at its bottom, a downdraft air-inlet tube having perforations connected with said air-inlet, and a plurality of absorbent members assembled within the receptacle to produce airspaces between themselves which provide for the bacl-andforth circulation of air, said spaces communicating with the air-inlet tube through the perforations therein.

15. In a carbureter, a receptacle provided with an air-inlet, an air-tube in said receptacle, absorbent members forming air-circulating channels having commu nic-ation with said airtube, and a valve mechanism common to the receptacle and the tube for controlling the admission of air to both said receptacle and the air-tube.

16. In a carbureter, a receptacle provided with an air-inlet, a perforated air-tube in said receptacle, perforated absorbent members fitted in said receptacle for producing airchannels which have communication with said tube, and a valve mechanism for controlling the admission of air to the receptacle and the air-tube. i

17. In a carbureter, the combination with a casing, of a receptacle provided at its bottom `with valved outlets which are normally open for the egress of a combustible vapor,

said receptacle being insertible and Withdrawable in respect to the casing, and the valves being closable on the withdrawal of said receptacle, an-absorbent within said receptacle, and means for admitting air to the upper part of the receptacle. i

18. In a carbureter, the' combination with a casing, of a receptacle fitted removably therein and provided at its bottom portion with valved outlets for the egress of a combustible vapor, means for securing a tight joint between the casing and the receptacle, an absorbent in the receptacle, and means for admitting air to the upper-part of the receptacle.

19. In a carbureter, the combination with a casing having a stationary spindle, of areceptacle provided with a guide-tube arranged to fit the spindle and to be coupled thereto, a perforated air-tube within the receptacle and enveloping the guide-tube, valved vapor-outlets at one portion of the receptacle, means for admitting air to the opposite portion of the receptacle, and a plurality of spaced absorbent members disposed within the receptacle and producing air-channels which communicate with the air-tube.

20. In a carbureter, the combination with a casing, of a body of non-compressible absorbent material built up of a plurality of perforated sections of non-compressible absorbent material, said sections being spaced apart by walls of non-compressible absorbent material, the perforations in the sections andl IOO ITO

21. In a carbureter, a body of non compressible absorbent material built up of a plurality of non-compressible absorbent sections,

' each section having an integral marginal A absorbent material within the casing, and a spring-closure between the casing and the shell for securing an air-tight joint between said parts.

23. In a carbureter, an inclosing shell, a

locking member extendingA upwardly from the bottom thereof, a removable inclosing casing provided with means for interlocking engagement with said locking member, a sectional body of absorbent material within sald casing, sections of said body being spaced for the circulation of air therethrough, means 1n the locking devices whereby air is admitted to the body of absorbent material at a number of points intermediate the height thereof, an air-inlet to said shell, and vapor-outlets from the shell and the casing. v 4

In testimony whereol I have signed my name to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses. s

l v JOHN B. SALO. Witnesses:

H. T. BERNHORD,

JNO. M. RITTER. 

